Reading FC Match Report: 2017/2018 Season - Championship

30 March 2018READING 1 QPR 0

Reading: S Aluko (13) QPR: --

A brilliant solo goal from Sone Aluko, two superb saves from Vito Mannone and a magnificent 'backs to the wall' team defensive effort, gave the Royals a long-awaited victory and three points to ease their relegation fears. New manager Paul Clement had an immediate impact as Reading produced a battling performance worthy of three points. His team selection was fully justified, not least of which the recall of Vito Mannone, who in my opinion had not deserved to be dropped in the first place. It was pulsating game which had both sets of fans on the edge of their seats throughout. It has to be said Rangers played some excellent football, but in spite of dominating the game overall could not find the finish their approach play deserved. In a manic final ten minutes Reading were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Kermorgant, conceded a penalty, which was saved by Mannone, and finally hung on for five minutes of stoppage time to send their fans home happy for the first time in long while.

Paul Clement's game plan was evident from his team selection. Blackett’s recall to left back would have raised a few eyebrows, to join Gunter’ Ilori and Moore in a back four. With Kelly apparently unavailable, Van den Berg and Edwards were given the task of playing in front of the back four. Martin was allocated the unenviable lone striker role which exposed his limitations against a very solid Rangers back four. With Swift tucked in behind Martin and Aluko and Barrow out wide, everyone was clear about the job they were expected to do. It was clear there was a significant change of approach especially at the back where few risks were taken and the ball was played forward early. Reading started on the front foot and took an early lead when Aluko spun and left his marker trailing in his wake just inside the Rangers half and ran at the visitors back four. As the defence back-pedalled Aluko made room for the shot and rifled the ball into the top right corner from just outside the box for what turned out to be a superb winning goal.

Rangers came back strongly and carved out several opportunities with some slick passing and movement requiring some exceptional last ditch defending which came from all of the back four and midfield. There were mistakes but few missed tackles and Reading rode there luck at times. Rangers wasted good chances, notably Conor Washington snatched at a half chance and pulled his shot wide and Wszolek blasted over when given time and space in the box just before half time. Reading looked to hit Rangers on the break but the visitors defence dealt well the threat of Barrow on. Onuha lacked a bit of pace but his positional sense enabled him to snuff out danger effectively.

The second half was pretty much one way traffic as Rangers laid siege on the Reading goal. Ilori and Blackett have been on the receiving end of a great deal of criticism recently but relived of the burden of the expectation of playing intricate passing out of defence appeared to revel in the simplification of their defensive duties. Steve Sidwell once said of Steve Coppell he did give not lengthy team talks but had a quiet word with everyone individually so that everyone knew what they were expected to do when they set foot on the pitch. Clement’s approach appears to have the same effect. As the half progressed pressure mounted on the Royals defence but they stood firm. Tackles and blocks came thick and fast as Rangers threw everything at them in search of an equaliser. The referee had a poor game, lenient in the extreme towards some robust challenges by Rangers and a somewhat harsh red card for Kermorgant which cranked up the pressure to an uncomfortable level on Reading. Paul Smyth thought he had finally breached the stoic Reading defence with a powerful strike from the edge of the box but was foiled with an outstanding fingertip save from Mannone. Edwards had run himself into the ground so fatigue probably played a part in a lazy lunge which caught Wszolek in the box and provided Rangers with an opportunity to level from the spot. Smith stepped up and struck the penalty well but Mannone matched it with an excellent save which had the home crowd on their feet celebrating as if they had scored. The save seemed to knock the stuffing out of Rangers and Reading comfortably played out the remaining stoppage time for a memorable first home win in the league since November.

If there was ever an instance of ‘new manager syndrome’ this was it. Paul Clement can take a lot of credit for this performance which may well prove to be the turning point in Reading’s season. It was a game and a result which brought the Madejski Stadium back to life. Rangers too deserve praise for making it such an entertaining game and respect for their professionalism. It may have gone unnoticed by some but I saw at least three Rangers players go over and shake Mannone’s hand after the final whistle in acknowledgement of his match winning display in the final stages of the game which they probably felt they deserved at least to draw.

John Wells

Post Match Fans' Opinion

Westwood52

» 30 Mar 2018 21:16

I was on edge from about 30 minutes in & this was just a desperate case of battling through and TBF several players gave it everything. The fault lines are deep and remain; however you cannot fault the effort and fight. I was expecting the worst when I saw Edwards and Joey selected, and wondered if Clement knew enough about us . Our three statues in midfield were in stark contrast to the mobility QPR had. Luckily they had nothing up front or out wide.

IMHO:

Mannone 8: MOM. One top class save, brave and of course the penalty save. Couple of poor clearances, and Moore was clearly the better performer;but hey the three points were down to him.

Gunter 6: The upper end of his performances this season & a couple of very good moments. However never got forward with any conviction.
Tyler 6: Smashed them all day-but a couple of lapses.
Moore 9: Gave it everything.Simply superb.
Ilori 7: Shaky at times, but then dug in 2nd half.

Joey 6: The faults were still there,but could not fault the effort.
Edwards 6: Gave it everything,and out on his feet-hence the lazy tackle for the pen.
Swift 6: Just didn't work for him-and wasn't really a threat. Very unfit, as you would expect.

Alukho 7: After the goal; I thought this is it; this is the game he turns on the full throttle-their LB was in bits-but after that very little.
Martin 7: Best I ve seen him play for us-then tired badly, as you would expect.
Barrow 5: not at his best.

Bacuna: I have said he should always start-but TBF to Clement, he was very poor.
Kermit: No change really.
Evans: Not on long enough to judge-should have been on far sooner.

Ref: Got very little right-apart from the pen and the squeeze on Mannone at a corner. Close to awful-so inconsistent.

Atmosphere was terrific, hugely intense.

NewCorkSeth

» 30 Mar 2018 21:18

Big Friendly Giant? Per Mertesacker? I dont understand.

tidus_mi2

» 30 Mar 2018 21:19

Gotta agree about the atmosphere, the whole place went mental when Mannone saved the penalty.

Hound

» 30 Mar 2018 21:28

It made me realise how much Stam has sucked out of the atmosphere and team, was a total contrast. We’d have been humped if he was still in charge

Agree mainly with the gist of the ratings. Thought Swift was good though - couple of outstanding set pieces - shame we didn’t get too many. Blackett was great I thought. Really enjoyed his performance

Thought both Martin and Yann were pretty awful though - Yann better than Martin but stupid to give the Ref the chance to send him off

Overall, a lot more fight, a lot more effort and the defending was massively better. QPR looked a good side full of confidence and we kept them at bay pretty much throughout. 27 shots - but only about 5 were anything other than pot shots

Henley Royal 1

» 30 Mar 2018 21:47

Moore outstanding led the team constantly talking plenty of blocks cracking penalty save but i thought Mannone looked very shaky hope that has given him confidence

Pat Butchers Ring

» 30 Mar 2018 21:49

Great effort from the team and clearly meant a lot. Great last 10 minutes from the fans and finally the team offered something for us to get behind. Jaap stam take notice give the fans something and they will back you.

That said, we shouldn't get carried away. We clung on against an average lower mid table team. The previous management team have left Clement with a shower of sh ite and despite what our captain says a change HAD to happen.

Hopefully the pressure is off now, this team will limp across the line and should just stay up but with players like Joey VDB we are going down next season. Big changes needed starting with defensive midfielder and dropping our captain.

Awayawayaway

» 30 Mar 2018 21:52

He was given instructions. Even ilori looked capable. Great defensive performance.

leon

» 30 Mar 2018 21:58

Interesting game, we rode our luck but deserved the points for the spirit we showed.

Two players stood out for similar reasons.

Blackett had an excellent game. He made a couple of mistakes but he was strong, read the game and passed the ball well.

Ilori. Yes Ilori. He actually played like a centre half. Just like Blackett, strong and could read danger before it happened. Some decent interceptions.

Hound

» 30 Mar 2018 22:02

Thought it was noticeable the crowd really got behind both Aluko and Blackett today as well. Hopefully helped their performances a little

The Reverend

» 30 Mar 2018 22:31

I may have damaged my vocal chords after the penalty save.

Far far far from a great performance but they put their bodies on the line and they were all blowing at the end. Hat's off Mr Clement, that's a sea change in attitude.

Sutekh

» 30 Mar 2018 22:34

Great team performance. To be honest the best way to win a game given the current plight as it was a real backs to the wall team effort that earned that bit of luck. Will hopefully instil belief back into the players especially for the remaining home games

One question though, what game was the referee actually refereeing?

Royalcop

» 30 Mar 2018 22:38

Still not quite sure how we won that game but three points is three points and a great team effort overall.

Aluko's goal must be up there with the best ever scored at the Madjeski, certainly for individual goals. I really thought once that had gone in we would go on and make it an easy win but we seemed to get very jittery having taken the lead. The second half was particularly painful, with us surrendering possession at every opportunity and on balance a 1-1 would have been a fair result. If we do stay up this team will need some serious surgery in the summer if we don't want a repeat of this season.

Mannone - 6 mostly for the pen save, though in truth was a poor pen - he looked nervous otherwise and lucky to get away with some poor punches and one horrendously scuffed clearance

Gunter - 7 solid and never stopped running, don't remember any mistakes which is a plus for him

Moore - 8 MOTM so many blocks and was really cajoling the players around him, Blackett in particular, and also the crowd

Illori - 6 some strong tackles but gave the ball away a lot

Blackett - 7 thought he did well, got forward in support when needed and solid in the tackle

Aluko - 6 excellent in the first half and an amazing goal though faded badly in the second